Spray dispenser



June 18, 1968 c. M. HART SPRAY DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 20, 1967 INVENTOR. CHARLES M. HART bkfa J m ATT gA/f'ys June 18, 1968 c. M. HART 3,388,834

SPRAY DISPENSER Filed March 20, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG] F|G.8

FIGJO INVENTOR. Game's M #427 FIGJI ATTUR/VEKS' United States Patent 3,388,834 SPRAY DISPENSER Charles M. Hart, 7737 Florence Ave., Apt. D, Downey, Calif. 90240 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 455,469, May 13, 1965. This application Mar. 20, 1967, Ser.

4 Claims. (Cl. 222-70) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A spray dispenser for use with an aerosol spray container of the type in which the container valve is a metering valve operative to release only a short burst of spray during each actuation, the spray dispenser including a drive motor geared down to slowly drive a cam having a cam fall for suddenly releasing an actuator for sudden depression of the container valve, one version of the dispenser using an abrupt rise to thereafter raise the actuator, and another version utilizing a hold-down trigger to hold the valve down until the actuator is raised, with a secondary cam thereafter abruptly releasing the trigger to allow the valve to suddenly raise.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 455,469, filed May 13, 1965, and entitled Spray Dispenser, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a spray dispenser and more particularly to a continuously operable dispenser adapted to automatically release a burst of spray from an aerosol container at regular, timed intervals.

Deodorizing, germicidal, and medicinal materials are best dispersed into the atmosphere of a room or similar enclosure by incorporating such materials in aerosol cans or containers along with a pressurized, liquefied gas for common release in spray form. Such containers are normally provided with a valve having a projecting, axially slidable stem carrying a spray nozzle which serves also as a finger piece or actuator button for inwardly moving or depressing the valve stem. The valve is normally spring biased to a raised, closed position and is operated to release spray by manually or automatically depressing the spray nozzle.

For many applications manual actuation of the valves of such aerosol containers is entirely satisfactory. However, there are also many situations in which the dispersion of materials in spray form within an enclosed area must be uniform and closely controlled, such as in public restrooms, restaurants, and hospital sickrooms. In the past, this need for precise spray dispersion has been met by a variety of automatic spray dispensers using synchronous motors or similar slow-speed drive units to operate a mechanism which periodically engages the spray nozzle of the aerosol container for actuation of the valve at regular, predetermined intervals. Most of these prior art devices are of the type which accommodate an aerosol container having a valve providing a continuous spray during continued depression of the valve. Such devices have generally proved to be unsatisfactory because the continuous spray type of valve is extremely diflicult to control well enough to precisely regulate the quantity of spray material dispersed into a room over an extended period of time. Moreover, many of the existing spray dispensers, regardless of the aerosol valve type with which they cooperate, are relatively expensive and are characterized by annoying clanking, clicking and related noises which are sometimes very annoying, as when the dispensers are used in dispensing germicidal sprays in hospital rooms.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a spray dispenser which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, reliable in operation, characterized by long service life, and which permits rapid removal and substitution of aerosol containers for various materials, thereby adopting the dispenser for multipurpose use. Thus, for example, the present dispenser can be used in the home to provide automatic spray dispersion of deodorants, medicinal preparations such as methols, germicides, and insecticides, depending only upon the nature of the contents of the aerosol container inserted in the dispenser.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a spray dispenser particularly adapted for use with an aerosol container of the type having a metering valve mechanism which includes a valve biased toward a closed position and movable from the closed position to a depressed position for releasing a single spray burst during the course of such movement. In one form, the dispenser utilizes a particular form of valve-actuating mechanism and a bias means to constantly bias the mechanism against the valve whereby the annoying noises characterizing the valve impact operation of previous dispensers is virtually eliminated. That is, the metering valve, which is internally spring biased to an outward or projected position, is in one embodiment of the invention maintained in its inward or depressed position by the bias means of the dispenser during the greater part of the cycle of operation of the dispenser and is only allowed to rise under its own spring bias just prior to that sudden depression of the valve which releases the spray. With this arrangement, the valve is movable inwardly and outwardly, but always under the bias action of the aerosol container and the dispenser, respectively, so that relative movement or noisy play of the dispenser components does not exist. Moreover, the continuous engagement of the container valve by the valve operating mechanism eliminates damaging impacts against the container valve during operation of the dispenser.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a spray dispenser of the aforementioned character which includes a housing having a forwardly projecting base for supporting an aerosol container, and which also includes a valve mechanism continuously engaged with the spray nozzle or actuator button of the aerosol can to maintain the spray nozzle in a depressed position whereby the aerosol container is biased against the base to securely maintain it in position within the dispenser housing.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a spray dispenser of the aforementioned character in which the valve-actuating mechanism is operated by a cam which is coupled to the driven shaft of an electric motor and which is out of engagement or only lightly engaged with the valve mechanism during the major portion of the operating cycle. The electric motor is therefore subjected to little or no load except immediately prior to and during the operation of the valve.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a spray dispenser of the aforementioned character which includes a hold-down trigger for holding the aerosol can actuator button down for a short time after actuation,

' and a secondary cam for thereafter suddenly releasing the button.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray dispenser of the aforementioned character which is constructed of relatively inexpensive sheet metal components and a readily available electric motor, thereby reducing its price and enhancing its market appeal, particularly to homeowners and the like.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spray dispenser according to the present invention, the cover or front portion of the dispenser housing being pivoted shut to its closed position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the spray dispenser, the cover being illustrated in its raised or open position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the upper portion of the spray dispenser, the cover being removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a detail elevational view of a different cam;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a different cam in combination with a hold-down trigger for maintaining the aerosol container valve down for a short period of time and thereafter suddenly releasing the valve, FIG. 7 particularly illustrating the positions of the components just prior to depression of the aerosol container valve spray nozzle;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but illustrating the components immediately after depression of the spray nozzle;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but illustrating the components just prior to release of the hold-down trigger;

FIG. 10 is a view taken along the line 1010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cam of FIG. 7 and its relationship to the actuator and hold-down trigger; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the rear side of the cam of FIG. 7, particularly illustrating the seconda y cam.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is illustrated a spray dispenser 10, according to the present invention, which comprises, generally, a two-part frame or housing 12 which supports an aerosol can or container 14 having a metering valve 15; an actuator mechanism 16 having an actuator 18 con tinuously engaged with the valve 15 and further having an arm or lever 20 operative upon the actuator 18 to operate the valve 15; a bias means or spring 22 urging the actuator 18 against the valve 15; a drive means or synchronous electric motor 24 having a driven shaft 26; and a cam 28 mounted to the driven shaft 26 and engageable with the lever 20 to effect periodic operation of the aerosol container valve 15.

The spray dispenser 10 is particularly adapted for use with an aerosol container having the metering valve 15, which is of that particular type having an internal spring or bias which always urges the valve 15 toward an outward or closed position. The valve is movable from its closed position to a depressed position for releasing a single spray burst during the course of such movement. For this purpose, the valve 15 includes an elongated, projecting discharge valve stem which mounts an actuator button or spray nozzle 30 at its outer end, the outer end being upwardly oriented in the drawings.

The container 14 and the valve 15 are well-known to those skilled in the art and therefore only the general nature and function thereof will be described.

A common form of metering valve mechanism, and which operates satisfactorily with the present dispenser 10, includes a trap chamber past which the discharge valve stem moves during the course of its inward slida'ble movement when the spray nozzle 30 is depressed. Upon alignment of an inlet opening in the valve stem with the trap chamber, spray material in the trap chamber is driven .under pressure through the hollow valve stem and out of the spray nozzle 30 in a fine mist or atomized spray. The quantity of such spray is controlled or metered be cause of the fixed volume of the trap chamber. For each depression of the .valve stem, only the quantity within the trap chamber is discharged through the nozzle 30. This feature broadly distinguishes the metering valve aerosol containers from the aerosol containers having discharge valves in which a continuous spray is emitted from the spray nozzle as long as the valve stem is maintained in a depressed or inward position.

Another important characteristic of the conventional metering valve mechanism just mentioned is that such mechanism includes an internal spring or bias means which always tends to urge the valve stem and nozzle 30 to an outward, closed position.

The dispenser housing 12 is of two-part construction, including a back portion 32 and a cover or front portion 34 which are both preferably fabricated of sheet metal. The back portion 32 includes a normally upstanding or vertical back 36, a forwardly projecting base 38 which supports the aerosol container 14, and an upper wall or shelf 40 which includes depending side flanges 42, as best viewed in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the pair of side flanges 42 carry a pair of rivets 44 which pivotally mount the cover 34 to the housing back portion 32. Similar side flanges 46 and 48 are provided on the housing back portion 42 and the base 38, respectively, to structurally stiffen the housing 12 and also to afford outward faces against which the cover 34 slidably seats when the cover moves from its open position, as viewed in FIG. 2, to its closed position, as viewed in FIG. 1.

The cover 34 is channel-shaped, including a sloping front wall 50 and rearwardly extending side walls 52 which slidably seat against the flanges 42, 46 and 48 of the back portion 32 when the cover 34 is moved to its closed position. The front wall 50 of the cover 34 includes a rectangular aperture 54 aligned with the spray nozzle 30 when the cover 34 is closed to carry emitted spray outwardly of the housing 12. A number of additional apertures 56 are provided adjacent the aperture 54, but merely for aesthetic purposes.

The shelf 40 includes an opening to receive a grommet through which a line cord 58 is disposed for carrying current to the motor 24, as will be seen.

A substantially rectangular bracket 66 is secured to the upper portion of the housing back 32. For this purpose, the bracket includes a rectangular mounting plate 62, as best viewed in FIG. 4, having a forwardly extending flange 64 at its upper extremity and a rearwardly extending leg 66 at its lower extremity. The rearward extremity of the leg 66 includes a downwardly oriented flange 68 which is secured to the housing back 36 by a plurality of rivets 70. The upper flange 64 is similarly secured by rivets 72 to the underside of the shelf 40.

The bracket mounting plate 62 and the housing back 36 define a space 74 within which is disposed the motor 24 and its associated speed reduction mechanism 25 for providing a desired rate of rotation for the driven shaft 26. The motor 24 is preferably a synchronous motor adapted for energization by the usual -cycle alternating current provided in the average home, and its substantially constant motor speed is reduced by the speed reduction mechanism 25 to the desired rate so that, for example, the

driven shaft 26 is rotated once every five minutes. However, the rate of rotation can be predetermined at other rates, depending upon the synchronous motor and speed reduction mechanism selected.

The particular construction of the motor 24 and its associated speed reduction mechanism is conventional, and the details are not illustrated since such details do not form a part of the invention. Any of a variety of similar motors and mechanisms will operate satisfactorily with the dispenser 10.

The motor 24 and speed reduction mechanism 25 are secured to the rear face of the mounting face 22 by a plurality of rivets 76, as best viewed in FIG. 5, so that the driven shaft 26 is positioned for rotation within and projection through a suitable opening provided in the mounting plate 62.

The shaft 26 mounts the cam 28 at its forward or projecting extremity for counterclockwise rotation, as viewed from the front of the dispenser, and preferably includes a flat which mates with a complemental flat portion provided in the shaft-receiving opening of the cam 28 to prevent relative rotation between the cam and the shaft.

The cam 28 is preferably made of a wear-resistant material such as nylon or the like characterized by a degree of resilience, as compared to metal. The plastic material is preferred because it substantially eliminates clicks and like noises characterizing metal-to-metal contacts. The cam 28 includes a central portion 82 and a radially projecting portion defined by a cam rise 78, a substantially radially oriented leading edge 80 and a trailing edge 84.

The central cam portion 82 is in light engagement with the lever during the major portion of each rotation of the cam 28. At those periods when the abrupt leading edge 80 engages the lever 20, the lever 20 is initially raised comparatively rapidly to a position of engagement with the cam rise 78, as indicated in phantom outline in FIG. 3. The trailing edge 84 provides a sudden terminus of the cam rise 78 to permit the lever 20 to rapidly drop off the cam rise 78 and pivot in a counterclockwise direction.

The lever 20 is an elongated sheet metal part pivotally mounted to the mounting plate 62 at one extremity by a rivet 86. The opposite or free extremity of the lever 20 includes a right-angular flange 88 whose undersurface normally engages some portion of the cam 20. In addition, the upper edge of the lever 20 engages an upper flange 90 of the actuator 18 between the opposite extremities of the lever for upward movement of the actuator 18 upon pivotal movement of the lever 20 in a clockwise direction. The lower extremity of the actuator 18 includes a similar rightangular flange 92 which rests upon the upper surface of the spray nozzle 30.

In its movement under the action of the lever 20, the actuator 18 slides vertically within a vertically elongated slide or track 94 integrally formed in the mounting plate 62. More particularly, the material of the plate 62 is vertically slit and rearwardly deformed to provide an elongated strap located behind the plate and remaining attached to the plate at its upper and lower extremities. The rearward deformation is just sufficient to accept the actuator 18 and orient the front surface thereof flush with the front surface of the plate 62. The lever 20 is thereby adapted to rest against and pivot over the flush surfaces of the actuator 18 and the plate 62. The lever 20 thus serves not only to raise the actuator 18 under the agency of the cam 28, but also to retain the actuator 18 in position within the track 94.

The actuator 18 is normally biased downwardly by the spring 22, as best viewed in FIG. 3. The spring 22 is a compression spring having its upper extremity in engagement with the bracket upper flange 64, and its opposite or lower extremity in engagement with the actuator upper flange 90. The bias of the spring 22 is much stronger than the valve spring of the aerosol container 14 so that normally the bias of the valve spring is overcome by the bias of the spring 22 and the spray nozzle is maintained in its depressed position. Consequently, the actuator 18 is always in engagement with the spray nozzle 30. Moreover, its movement upwardly and downwardly is occasioned by the bias of either the spring 22 or the valve spring of the aerosol container 14, as will be seen.

The normal biased depression of the spray nozzle 30 tends to firmly maintain the aerosol container 14 in engagement with the housing base 38 during operation of the spray dispenser 10. The container 14 is also maintained in position by engagement of the upper portion of the container with the underside of the bracket leg 66, as best viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In operation, the line cord 58 is connected to a suitable source of 60-cycle alternating current. This energizes the motor 24 for rotation of the driven shaft 26. The cam 28 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction until the cam leading edge 80 engages the underside of the lever flange 88. The lever is then relatively suddenly raised against the bias of the spring 22, and the bias of the valve spring of the container 14 raises the spray nozzle 30 to its projected or valve closed position. This abrupt raising of the spray nozzle 30 is preferred to prevent possible dribbling of spray material through the nozzle opening during its upward movement.

Continued counterclockwise rotation of the cam 28 brings the cam fall or trailing edge 84 into position adjacent the free edge of the lever flange 88, whereupon the lever 20 abruptly drops off the cam rise 78 under the bias of the spring 22. This same bias drives the actuator 18 downwardly to effect sudden depression of the spray nozzle 30. During this movement of the spray nozzle 38 from its projected position to its depressed position, a single, metered spray burst is released from the aerosol container 14.

As the counterclockwise rotation of the cam 28 continues, the lever 20 lightly rides upon the cam circular portion 82 and therefore imposes only a very slight frictional load upon the motor 24. The spray nozzle 30 is maintained in its depressed position by the bias of the spring 22 until the lever 20 is again raised for engagement with the cam rise 78 to repeat the cycle of operation.

Continuous operation of the dispenser 10 releases a metered burst of spray into the room or enclosure at predetermined intervals so that closely regulated dispersion of spray material is provided over prolonged periods. The aerosol container 14 is easily removed for replacement by merely grasping the cylindrical body of the container and pulling outwardly to disengage the container from the actuator flange 92 and the bracket leg 66.

There are certain metering valve mechanisms which do not operate properly when they are maintained in a depressed position for prolonged periods. The present invention is also adapted for operation with metering valves of this type by merely substituting a different form of cam 28a, as best illustrated in FIG. 6. Cam 28a is characterized by a cam rise 78a which extends over the major portion of the circumference of the cam. The cam rise 78a includes a substantially radially oriented leading edge a and a trailing edge 84a.

The operation of the dispenser 10 with the cam 28a is substantially similar to the operation of the dispenser with the cam 28 except that the spring 22 is compressed over the major portion of the operating cycle, thereby permitting the internal bias means or spring of the aerosol can valve to maintain the spray nozzle 30 in its upward or projecting position. More particularly, as the cam 28a is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the lever 20 is maintained in its raised position during its engagement with the cam rise 78a. In this position, as above indicated, the spray nozzle 30 is in its raised or projected position. On continued counterclockwise rotation of the cam 28a the lever encounters the trailing edge or cam fall 84a and drops oif the cam rise 78a and into engagement with the leading edge 80a. At this time the spray nozzle 30 is moved from its projected position to its depressed position and releases a metered spray burst.

Immediately after release of the spray burst, continued rotation of the cam 28a effects an abrupt raising of the lever 20 by virtue of the engagement thereof with the cam leading edge 80a, a projection 81 on the cam rise 78a further contributing to the abruptness of such raising of the lever. The lever 20 then rides on the cam rise 78a so that the spray nozzle 30 is permitted to rise and stay in its projected position during the major portion of the rotation of the cam 28a.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 12, there is illustrated another form of spray dispenser which is identical to that previously described, except that the valve actuator means also includes a hold-down trigger 96 used in combination with a secondary cam 98 which forms an integral part of a cam which is essentially identical to the cam 28a. As will be seen, the trigger 96 and cam 98 cooperate to hold the spray nozzle 30 in a depressed position for a short period of time after its actuation and thereafter suddenly release it.

The hold-down trigger 96 is an elongated lever arm which is pivoted at its mid portion to the mounting plate 62 by a rivet 100. One extremity of the trigger 96 extends behind the spray nozzle 30 and includes a pivotable angle bracket 102. One flange or leg of the bracket 102 is pivotally secured to the main body of the trigger 96 by a rivet 104, while the other leg of the bracket overlies and engages the upper surface of the spray nozzle 30. It is particularly noted that the trigger 96 is thus interposed between the nozzle 30 and the actuator 18, whereas in the embodiments previously described the actuator 18 was in direct contact with the nozzle 30 at all times.

The opposite extremity of the trigger 96 is outwardly offset from the mounting plate 62, and is bent to provide a generally arcuate cam engaging portion 106 which is adapted to ride behind the cam 28a and upon the curved peripheral surface of the secondary cam 98.

The secondary cam 98 is preferably integrally molded as a part of the rear face of the cam 28a, the cam 98 being located substantially diametrically opposite the intersection of the cam rise leading edge 80a and the cam rise trailing edge 84a. The cam 98 projects outwardly of the cam 28a and is characterized by a relatively short cam rise 108 having a relatively gradual leading surface or edge 110 and a relatively abrupt trailing surface or edge 112.

In operation, the cam 28a is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as before, until the lever fiange 88 abruptly moves from the cam rise 78a, FIG. 7, onto the leading edge 80a, FIG. 8. When this happens, the actuator flange 88, under the bias of the spring 22, presses the trigger flange 92 downwardly and. also depresses the spraynozzle 30. This releases a quick, short burst of spray, and without the dribbling or leaking of spray material which is sometimes occasioned by a relatively slow depression of the nozzle 30.

At this time the secondary cam 98 is not quite engaged by the trigger 96.

Next, as seen in FIG. 9, the lever 20 is relatively abruptly raised on the cam rise 78a as the cam 28a c0ntinues to rotate counterclockwise. This in turn raises the actuator 18 against the bias of the spring 22. Substantially simultaneously, the trigger 96 is engaged by the secondary cam 98 so that its bracket 102 is maintained pressed downwardly against the spray nozzle 30. Thus, the nozzle 30 is maintained in a depressed position until the actuator flange 92 is spaced above the trigger bracket 102 a distance approximating the normal travel of the spray nozzle 30 between its upper and lower positions.

Thereafter, the trigger 96 abruptly drops off the secondary cam rise 108, leaving the trigger 96 free to pivot. The bias of the spray nozzle valve abruptly moves the spray nozzle 30 upwardly with the trigger bracket 102, again without the undesirable dribbling or leaking of spray material which often occurs when the spray nozzle 30 is allowed to rise relatively slowly. I

From the foregoing, it is apparent that a spray dispenser has been provided which is adapted to effect uniform spray dispersion of material over a prolonged period of time. The dispenser is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, is characterized by reliable, trouble-free, and noisefree operation, and is adapted to quickly accept different aerosol containers for spraying any of a variety of materials.

I the following claims.

I claim: 1. A spray dispenser for use with an aerosol container having a metering valve mechanism which includes a valve biased toward an upward, closed position and movable from said position to an actuated position for releasing a single short spray burst during the course of such movement, said dispenser comprising:

a frame for supporting an aerosol container and including means defining a vertically oriented track;

actuator means carried by said frame and having an actuator portion movable along said track for engagement with the aerosolcontainer valve;

bias means for continuously urging said actuator means downwardly toward said valve; 7 cam means including a first cam having a first cam rise and an abrupt cam fall;

an elongated lever pivot-ably mounted to said frame,

extending across said actuator means for engagement therewith, and in engagement at one extremity with said cam means; and

drive means coupled to said cam means and operable to rotate said cam means whereby said first cam rise efiects pivotal movement of said lever and consequent raising of said actuator means against the bias of said bias means to enable the aerosol container valve to move to its upward position, and whereby said cam fall thereafter enables said lever and said actuator means to abruptly and forcibly move said valve to said actuated position to release a single short spray burst, said cam means also including a secondary cam rotatable with said cam means and having a secondary cam rise, said actutator means also including an elongated hold-down trigger pivotally mounted to said frame and having a first extremity positioned adjacent the aerosol container valve and its other extremity positioned for engagement with said secondary cam rise, said engagement maintaining the valve in an actuated position for a short interval subsequent to said release of said single short spray.

2. A spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said lever is pivotably mounted to said frame at the extremity of said lever opposite said extremity in engagement with said cam means.

3. A spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said first extremity of said trigger is located between the valve and said actuator portion.

4. A spray dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said secondary cam rise is relatively short and located substantially diametrically opposite said cam fall of said cam means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,967,643 1/ 1961 Edelstein et al. 239- XR 2,971,382 2/ 1961 Harris 239-70 XR 3,018,056 1/1962 Montgomery 239-70 3,107,821 10/1963 Lambert 222-70 3,187,948 6/1965 Hunt 222-70 3,214,062 10/1965 Mahon 222-70 3,216,618 11/1965 Hunter 222-182 WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner. 

